The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-02-09

hall never marry. There are other

" 10 me there is Dut one In tne Wlue
world" he answered, hoarsely; " still |
will not annoy you; | will wait. Good
day, Agatha"
The conflict was over now, and the
victory won In the refuge OF her
own room flood of tears came to the
meiden's eyes But something of
thankfulness for vanquished tempta-
ton mingled with that bitterness of
remuneration. All was not gloom,
though the lights of earthly ambition
had gone out.
On learning of the vicar of Hit
worth's decease, and of the straight
ened circumstances of his family, GER
tain friends in southern center eX-
erted themselves to obtain admission
for the two eldest lads into a high
class charitable institution, established
| for the sons of clergymen. The en-
deavor was successful, and it seemed to
| both Agatha aud her mother that it
would be best to remove into the imme-
date neighborhood of the school. The
| abandonment of the vicarage was in
any case inevitable. There were few
! ties to bind the Trentons to Hitworth,
and so the project of departure was
quickly carried out; at Melbury, within
sound of the city hum, the wrestle
with poverty was continued under
slightly less strained conditions.
A correspondence was naturally
maintained between Agatha and sew
eral of her midland acquaintance.
But in all her letters the girl was eX-
ceedingly careful to avoid even the
most distant and enigmatical reference
to Roderick Dalling His life and hers
had drifted apart, and it was better
that thick veil of oblivion should
cover the bygone episode of love-
over fragment of intelligence had
come which Agatha tried her hardest
to receive with equanimity. " Blythe
way, there was quite a fashionable
marriage here last week." wrote the
unsuspecting friend. " Mr.. Dalling
and Mabel Sutton have gone into bonds
of holy matrimony- isn't that the
proper expression?' And then fol-
lowed details of the BRIDES dress and
behavior, which only feminine pen
could have mirrored so exactly and
only lady's eyes could have been ex-
pected to pursue with interest.
{" 1t is all ended, then-allN' MUIR
INJURED poor Agatha, with a sigh and
stray tear. 81 hope they will be
happy"
Very nearly two years had gone
by in this placid, humdrum manner.
Agatha's painting had prospered, and
the heavy breathing of the gaunt old
wolf was no longer audible at the
family door. Moreover, Mrs. Trenton
was distinctly improving in health and
spirits. The change to Melbury had
accomplished what medicine could only
feebly attempt. The boys were doing
well with their studies, and the three
younger children were day by day be-
coming more hopeful. The horizon
was decidedly brighter than at any date
since the death of the reverend father,
and the good fortune-so far as Agatha
was concerned had not yet reached its
climax.
Strange stories had recently drifted
to Melbury respecting the doings at
Hiltworth. 1t was said that coal had
been discovered in the vicinity; that a
mining-shaft had been sunk in field
in the rear of Messrs. Dalling Bros
mill, and that nothing short of an in
dustrial revolution was before the en-
tire district. Agatha longed to eX-
plore for herself these wonders, but
scarcely dared to venture as yet into the
possible presence of her ancient lover,
even if she could easily have spared the
time; she had to be content with the
reports of her correspondents for
awhile.
1t was hot August day, and the 81
lence of the summer-noontide seemed
to have penetrated into every cottage
and homestead in Melbury. The tick
ing of the corner-clock was the solitary
sound that troubled the repose of
Agatha's trim little kitchen. The girl
was pausing in her task of setting in
order some sketching materials. Sud
denly ring came at the bell. She
hurried through the passage and opened
the door.
Agatha in person? Surely good
signl" said Roderick Dalling, impul-
sively, with outstretched hand,
The girl had paled, and with diff
Guilty repressed cry of eager joy.
Her surprise betrayed her unquenched
affection.
"Mr. Dalling! Where is-your wife?"
she faltered, at last.
"My wfe?''
eyes. | heard of your marriage
many months ago.
A sudden light broke upon him.
"That was my BROTHER" he answered.
g Dick fell in love with Miss Sutton,
and the engagement was very short
one. You did not think me so tickle,
Agatha?"
What could she say? The reproach
in his tone had gone to her heart and
stirred strange depths of passion and
of happiness. She was silent, and her
eyes refused to meet Roderick's earnest
gaze.
The visitor was standing in the old
fashioned parlor now, and without re-
sistance he had drawn Agatha to him.
have waited, as l said | would"
he whispered; - knew the cause of
your objection, and | honored you for
it. | meant TO make fortune and
then come to you again, if it were years
hence. But you have given me wealth,
and all have to do is to ask that you
will share it,"
81? How?"
Instead of taking Brighton villa